Prime Minister Justin Trudeau yesterday pledged $4 billion in pandemic bonuses for essential minimum wage workers as designated by provinces. The funding raises the federal deficit to a record $256 billion: “The minimum wage sets a floor.”
Governor General Julie Payette yesterday said Canadians have a civic duty to correct Facebook rumours on the pandemic. Payette in a podcast also questioned whether Canada is prepared for volcanic eruptions, and discussed the likelihood an asteroid will strike the planet: “No, no, this is ridiculous.”
Nearly three-quarters of a million homeowners have deferred mortgage payments, says the Department of Finance. MPs noted few lenders waived charges but merely compounded interest: “Canada has been very, very good to the nation’s banks.”
A Crown agency billed for meals and entertainment at the rate of $25,000 a month including sports tickets despite an old cabinet directive banning the practice, records show. Invest In Canada said charges were necessary to “nurture relationships”.
Prosperity Minister Mona Fortier yesterday refused to detail confidential federal research that calculated farmers’ cost of the carbon tax. Cabinet disclosed the internal study in a routine Commons tabling, but said findings were secret: “We know you know.”
Federal prison managers yesterday contradicted claims by Public Safety Minister Bill Blair that hundreds of inmates have been paroled as a pandemic safety precaution. The Correctional Service said it was “not possible” to verify: “It is very difficult.”
Charities facing unprecedented layoffs and revenue declines have appealed to MPs to increase tax credits on donations. Parliament four years ago rejected a bill to boost credits to the same level as contributions to political parties: “I’m sure it would increase giving.”
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s office faces a federal lawsuit over media blacklisting at his daily press briefing held in lieu of Question Period. Data show the CBC was invited to ask twice as many questions as any of its competitors, while some other media were not permitted any questions at all: “Media are the cornerstone of any democracy.”
The Public Health Agency of Canada in weeks leading to the Covid-19 outbreak spent more than $50,000 on catered staff luncheons, party snacks and refreshments for Take Our Kids To Work Day, records show. MPs cited the Agency for failing in its duty to stock up on vital pandemic supplies for doctors and nurses: “Hindsight is 20-20.”
The cross-country scramble for workplace masks and face shields is a national embarrassment, the United Steelworkers yesterday told the Commons finance committee. MPs complain they’ve been unable to get data on equipment shortages as more Canadians return to work: “We can’t produce our own equipment?”
Cabinet yesterday vetoed farmers’ call for billions in pandemic relief in the first sign of a slowdown in deficit spending. The Department of Agriculture pledged $252 million in aid, almost half of it already announced. Cabinet by comparison earlier pledged twice as much, $500 million, to support arts and culture: “It’s a crumb.”
An obscure federal regulatory change marks the formal end of a 103-year tax tradition, the ink signature. The Canada Revenue Agency has allowed tax preparers for the first time to submit clients’ returns with electronic endorsements: “We’re in this very unique and extraordinary period of time.”
Federal relief for commercial landlords will cost $2 billion by June 30, the Department of Finance said yesterday. Subsidy programs are now expected to increase the national debt to $1 trillion: “The amount being spent by the government is staggering.”
A third of people were buried in debt even before the recession, the Financial Consumer Agency of Canada said yesterday in newly-released survey data. Researchers cited “increasing financial stress” for millions before the pandemic shutdown.: “27 percent say they borrow to buy food.”
Pandemic contracts awarded by cabinet must be disclosed publicly after taxpayers were misled on terms of a $5 million award to Amazon, Opposition Leader Andrew Scheer said yesterday. The Department of Public Works admitted it is paying commercial fees to Amazon for managing orders of pandemic supplies after publicly claiming the company agreed to waive all profits: “Those days are over.”
